RIYAZ UL KHALIQ
SRINAGAR
Even after six days have passed, the stalement over the formation of new government continues in Jammu and Kashmir.
After assembly elections were held in five phases, 23 December, when ballot was counted, threw up a hung assembly with no pro-India party achieving magical 44 seats to form government on its own in Jammu and Kashmir.
The results saw PDP emerging the single largest party with 28 seats, BJP sweeping Jammu region with 25 seats while NC and Congress stood at 15 and 12 respectively. The other seven went to independents besides CPI (M) and Sajad Lone’s PC.
Since results threw out a hung assembly, intense lobbying took place for the formation of new dispensation. With Jammu giving landslide mandate to right wing BJP, Kashmir based parties, particularly PDP, are facing hiccups in forming new government, reports said.
The major developments saw PDP MP Muzaffar Hussain Beigh saying “BJP is not untouchable” while Union Fin Min along with BJP Gen Secretary flying to Jammu and saying “BJP will play a crucial role in government formation”. Ram Madhav was in Srinagar and held meeting with many leaders of almost all parties.
In the evening of 23 December, PDP preseident Mehbooba Mufti said that her party shall take time “to explore all possibilities” for the formation of government while outgoing CM Omar Abdullah extended his party’s support to PDP to form the government. NC partner in last coalition Congress too offered unconditional support to PDP to form the government taking support of other independents.
Though PDP, subtly, responded to NC’s offer but did not take the issue to next level. Reports too emerged quoting PDP national spokesperson Samir Kaul saying that his party has put ‘five conditions’ before BJP for ‘Govt hand shake’. PDP last evening in a statement said that it shall not compromise Article 370 nor Kashmir Issue.
Day after Omar extended his support to PDP, he flew to Jammu and tendered resignation as CM and was on way to London to see his ailing parents but stopped at New Delhi and met BJP union leadership and flew back to Srinagar but refuted news that he had talks with BJP about government formation. Omar is in London with Dr Farooq who underwent Kidney transplant. He left India on Saturday.
In political doldrum of state as speculations were high that Mufti Sayeed flew to New Delhi to talk to PM Narendra Modi personally amid PDP-BJP parleys, the party refuted the developments, officially and gaged its leaders but Naeem Akhter – the party spokesperson – from expressing their view points in public.
The run up to assembly election saw PDP patron Mufti Sayeed, in his ‘Tie-Coat’ attire, on his toes campaigning intensely in Kashmir, Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal and Jammu segments but the day BJP bagged 28 seats from Jammu, he is in hibernation. Reports say that he is confined to his room at Fairview residence at Gupkar and is in reverse mood. He listens, and thinks more but speaks too less.
Amid stalement, Governor NN Vohra took first step and shot two letters to PDP and BJP presidents to form the next government.
As the time for government formation ends 19 January 2015 and if no new government is formed, governor rule shall be implemented according to laid down laws. To which, reports said, major PDP is not ‘averse’.
On Sunday, a news gathering agency quoting PDP sources said that PDP and BJP are close to an agreement to form the government though the agency said that the BJP did not confirm the development.
As BJP claims that the talk over the formation next government comes to end by this evening, it will be interesting to know whether PDP patron has opened his mouth or not.
